A few of the players notably the Kiwi imports didn't know the club's victory song, mainly because Wingham didn't win a game last year so they weren't required to sing it.

The Tigers showed enough in the match to suggest they'll finish on the right side of the ledger on more occasions this campaign, particularly with a couple of experienced players to come into the side when the competition proper gets underway.

Pre-season a winner

THE pre-season is a concept that looks certain to stay in Group Three.

A pretty handy crowd attended the matches played at the Jack Neal Oval, despite the fact the round wasn't moved there until Friday when the Old Bar Reserve was declared off limits because of wet weather. Reports indicate there was also a solid rollup at Wauchope the previous day.

It also proved a bonus for Taree City Bulls with the club picking up funds for running the canteen and bar. The semi-finals and finals will be played on Sunday at Wingham.

The Tigers ran the canteen at the Wingham Show last weekend and will be looking at even more cash from the footy on Sunday, making it a pretty profitable fortnight for the club.

Reserves for Pirates

MEANWHILE Old Bar Pirates supremo Mal Ladmore reports the club is on track to field a reserve grade this season.

Mal concedes numbers were a bit thin early on. There's been a huge player turnaround this year at Old Bar, with just three of last season's grand final squad still with the club.

"We're getting there,'' he said.

"I'm pretty confident we'll have the numbers for a reserve grade now, although we were a bit worried earlier on.''

The first round of the season-proper doesn't start until April 26, so the Pirates still have time on their side.

Brothers back

LAST weekend's washout of the Manning first grade cricket grand final could be good news for the Wingham side.

The game will now be decided this weekend. Had play gone ahead as planned Wingham would have been minus two of their strike bowlers in brothers Daine and Ryan Williams. Both would have been unavailable because of work commitments. However, we understand both will line up this weekend for Wingham in the showdown against United at Chatham Park.

We'll have a preview of the match in Friday's Times.

Big crowd tipped

TAREE-Wingham Race Club officials are hoping for a bit of luck with the weather for Saturday's matinee meeting at the Bushland Drive track.

Club CEO Brian Leggatt reports that large nominations have been received for the meeting, where the first race will be underway from noon. This includes 53 horses for the 1250 metre maiden handicap and 41 for the 1400 metre maiden handicap.

Acceptances will be taken at 9am tomorrow for the Can Assist Fund Raising Raceday. The reunion of the Group Three Rugby League Saturday League competition players and supporters will be a further attraction on the day.

Sydney Uni in grand final

SYDNEY University, featuring former Manning players Nick Larkin and David Miller are through to the grand final of the Sydney first grade cricket competition.

The side downed Randwick-Petersham in a low scoring semi-final at Coogee Oval last weekend. Sydney Uni will now meet Bankstown in the decider.

We understand that Larkin will then head for another stint playing in Ireland. He's hoping to make the Irish side for the World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand next year.